Laboratory testing aims to identify the presence of viral genome in the saliva sample using molecular methods that are similar to those used for nasal swab testing.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, COVID-19 nasal swab testing has been a popular choice as a sample type among the list of upper and lower respiratory specimens to be tested in.
Joseph Kwon, who led the project, predicts that clinical trials will be done in September, and data will be submitted to the ministry in October.